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Bill Summary · LC 655

Summary: LC 655 — Create a pollinator health task force

Overview

LC 655 is a proposed bill titled “Create a pollinator health task force.” The bill is categorized under Agriculture (including Livestock and Taxation—Agriculture/Livestock) and Appropriations (State Finance). The objective indicated by the title is to establish a dedicated task force focused on pollinator health, with the likely aim of assessing pollinator populations, factors affecting their health, and developing policy recommendations. The current status is “Draft Ready for Delivery” (as of the pre-introduction drafting stage), with the legislative process continuing through assembly drafting steps.

Purpose and intent

  • Create a formal, state-level body—the pollinator health task force.
  • Elevate attention to pollinator health as it relates to agriculture, biodiversity, and ecosystem services.
  • Produce findings and recommendations to inform state policy, program design, and potential funding needs.

Key provisions (as currently indicated by the bill’s title and subject)

  • Establishment of a task force charged with evaluating pollinator health. The draft would specify the scope of work, objectives, and deliverables.
  • Potential duties likely include assessing pollinator populations, investigating impacts of pesticides and habitat loss, evaluating best management practices, and identifying opportunities for habitat restoration and conservation.
  • Reporting: the task force would typically be required to report findings and recommendations to the legislature or relevant state agencies.
  • Funding: the subject area includes Appropriations, suggesting the bill may authorize or appropriate funds to support the task force’s activities (staff, research, stakeholder engagement, and related expenses). Specific funding levels and sources would be defined in the enacted text.
  • Membership and governance: the draft would define who serves on the task force (e.g., representation from state agencies, agricultural groups, academic/research institutions, beekeeping groups, and environmental organizations) and how meetings are conducted. Exact composition and appointment processes will be specified in the final draft.
  • Duration and sunset: any time-limited or ongoing nature of the task force would be defined in the bill text.

Note: Specifics such as exact membership, funding amounts, reporting cadence, and authority are not provided in the summary materials and would be detailed in the full draft.

Who is affected

  • Beekeepers, beekeeping associations, and pollination-dependent growers.
  • Farmers and agricultural producers.
  • State agencies related to agriculture, environment, and natural resources.
  • Researchers and academic institutions studying pollinator health and ecosystem services.
  • Local governments and conservation organizations participating in pollinator habitat initiatives.

Procedural timeline and status

  • Introduced: October 30, 2024.
  • Legislative action sequence (illustrative of drafting progress):
    • 2024-10-30: Drafter Assigned.
    • 2025-03-20 to 2025-03-24: Various drafting stages (Edit, Legal Review, Input/Proofing, Final Drafter Review, Draft Ready for Delivery).
    • 2025-03-24: (LC) Draft in Assembly; (LC) Draft Ready for Delivery.
  • Status: Draft Ready for Delivery, indicating the bill text is prepared for formal introduction to the legislative body.

Potential fiscal and policy impact

  • Possible creation of new or reallocated funding to support staffing, expert consultation, research, and stakeholder outreach.
  • Influence on state programs related to pollinator conservation, pesticide review, habitat restoration, and agricultural sustainability.
  • May prompt coordination across agencies and stakeholders, potentially shaping future environmental and agricultural policies.

Next steps / what to monitor

  • Review the full draft text upon introduction to confirm specific provisions, membership, funding, reporting requirements, and timelines.
  • Monitor committee hearings and amendments to see how the task force’s mandate and funding evolve.
  • Assess any alignment with existing pollinator initiatives and state budget implications.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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